Deb Hann in Cambridge Police Station.
In my role as Community Liaison Officer, I enjoy a lot of job variety.
Deb Hann
Last Saturday I took part in a Controlled Purchase Operation (alcohol), working with representatives from Waipā and Ōtorohanga district councils, Ministry of Health and some of my Prevention Team colleagues. The purpose of this operation was to assess compliance by on and off-licence holders around the sale of alcohol to minors.
Underage volunteers visited premises in Piopio, Te Kūiti, Ōtorohanga, Te Awamutu, Pirongia and Cambridge. Overall levels of compliance were good, however three businesses across the district did sell to the volunteers. They will face appropriate follow-up action.
Policing otherwise continued to be busy across Waipā in recent days, some examples below.
The Sunday before last, three people were reported to have stolen a large trolley of groceries from a supermarket in Cambridge. Their vehicle was located driving away on Achilles Avenue and stopped. Officers found the boot stacked full of stolen items. One person faced court charges and a second was put through alternative action. A third was found not to have committed any offence.
Still in Cambridge, last Wednesday a male was reported for threatening behaviour towards a younger female. He came to police attention for other matters the next day and was arrested and charged in relation to the first incident. He was remanded in custody.
Between Wednesday and Friday last week , Cambridge Police also dealt with another male who was behaving threateningly and in possession of an offensive weapon. He was arrested and appeared in court. He then went on to breach his bail conditions and was arrested a second time. Being then found in possession of a knife, he faced court and further charges accordingly.
In Te Awamutu last weekend, a male was arrested following an assault on a family member and appeared in court. A vehicle was then reported driving dangerously on State Highway 3, crossing the centre line, speeding through roadworks and being inconsistent with its speed otherwise.
When located by police and signalled to stop, the driver instead pulled out into the opposite lane, driving towards oncoming traffic and almost causing a crash. The driver finally stopped. He was found to be a tourist visiting New Zealand, driving a rental vehicle.
As a result of his actions, the driver was immediately forbidden to drive, summonsed to appear in court on a charge of dangerous driving and the rental car agreement was cancelled by the agent.
